Office of Clinical Practice Announcements
At the beginning of the semester How to Secure a Clinical Practice Placement Workshops will be offered. Dates and times will be shared when information is available.
Assembly Bill 121 established the Student Teacher Stipend Program, effective beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, to provide participating school districts with state funding to award $10,000 stipends to student teachers completing their student teaching. The program is intended to provide financial support to teacher candidates during the required final 500 hours of clinical practice. Application for and distribution of stipend funds are the sole responsibility of participating school districts, and candidates who are participating in state-funded residencies, grants, internships or short-term staffing permits are not eligible for this stipend.
The ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ College of Education is enthusiastic about partnering with our school districts to expand financial support opportunities for student teacher candidates. We are committed to maintaining ongoing communication with our partner districts and providing guidance throughout the process in the hope of securing stipend funding for as many qualified candidates as possible.
While the College actively supports these efforts, partner districts are ultimately responsible for applying for available state funding and issuing stipend payments directly to candidates. Student teaching placements will continue to follow the College's established placement protocols and will not be influenced by the availability of stipend funding.
Given districts cannot apply for stipend funding until after student teaching placements have been finalized and submitted, the College may not know which districts will ultimately receive funding until after student teaching clinical experiences have begun. For districts that are awarded funding, the approval and stipend payment process to the candidate may take 60 days or longer from the start of the student teaching assignment.
For any additional information on the program please refer to:
Student Teacher Stipend Program (STSP) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Student Teacher Stipend Program (STSP)?
The ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵStudent Teacher Stipend Program (STSP) provides funding intended to support eligible teacher candidates during their student teaching experience. The program is funded through the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵCommission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), but participation and administration are managed by individual school districts. For additional information visit the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵCommission on Teacher Credentialing website using the following link :
How do I apply for the STSP?
You do not need to complete a separate application for the STSP.
Once you have been placed in a school district, the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ College of Education Office of Clinical Practice (OCP) will submit the required information needed to verify your eligibility. All traditional student teacher candidates who meet program and state requirements are automatically reviewed and submitted for consideration. No separate application is required.
Am I guaranteed to receive the stipend when I student teach?
No.
Although ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ submits all eligible traditional student teacher candidates for consideration, participation in the STSP is entirely voluntary for school districts. A candidate will only receive a stipend if their placement district chooses to participate in the program and accepts responsibility for administering the funds.
District participation, funding decisions, and stipend distribution are determined by the placement district and not by ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ College of Education or the Office of Clinical Practice.
Do all student teachers qualify for the STSP?
No.
The STSP is generally intended for traditional student teacher candidates. Candidates serving in internship programs, state-funded residency programs, or other employment-based clinical placement models are not eligible for the stipend.
Final eligibility determinations are made in accordance with program requirements and district participation guidelines.
How will I know whether my placement district is participating in the STSP?
District participation can change from semester to semester.
The most reliable source of information is the Human Resources Department of your placement district.
Will my district notify me if they are participating in the program?
Each district determines how and when it communicates with teacher candidates regarding the STSP.
Some districts may contact candidates directly, while others may provide information during onboarding or orientation processes. Questions about communication procedures should be directed to the district's Human Resources Department.
Does the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵCommission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) maintain a list of participating districts?
The CTC provides funding and program guidance; however, questions regarding whether a specific district is participating should be directed to the district itself.
The most accurate and up-to-date information regarding participation is available directly from the district's Human Resources Department.
How much money will I receive through the STSP?
The stipend amount is determined by the program guidelines established by the state and participating districts. However, the actual amount received may vary based on district administration processes, applicable payroll requirements, tax withholdings, or other deductions.
Questions regarding specific payment amounts should be directed to your placement district.
When will I receive the stipend funds?
Payment timelines vary by district.
Each participating district establishes its own procedures for processing and distributing stipend funds. Some districts may issue payments in installments, while others may distribute funds at different points during the student teaching experience.
All questions about payment timing should be directed to the district's Human Resources Department.
Are stipend payments considered taxable income?
In many cases, stipend payments may have tax implications. Because payment methods and reporting processes vary by district, candidates should consult the district issuing the payment and a qualified tax professional regarding any tax-related questions.
If I change districts or my placement changes, will my stipend eligibility be affected?
Possibly.
Because participation decisions are made by individual districts, changes to your placement may affect your eligibility or stipend status. If your placement changes, contact the Human Resources Department of the new placement district for updated information.
Can the Office of Clinical Practice tell me whether I will receive the stipend?
No.
While OCP submits eligible candidates and may share information that has been provided by districts, the final decisions regarding participation, funding, payment schedules, and disbursement are controlled by the placement district.
Should I delay my student teaching placement if I am unsure whether my district will participate in the Student Teacher Stipend Program?
No.
We strongly encourage candidates to complete their student teaching and credential program in a timely manner rather than delaying solely because of uncertainty regarding STSP participation.
Delaying student teaching in hopes of securing a stipend in a future semester may postpone completion of your credential, delay eligibility for employment as a teacher, and potentially affect your personal and professional goals.
Candidates are encouraged to make decisions based on their readiness to complete student teaching and earn their teaching credential rather than on the possibility of receiving stipend funding. Completing your credential on schedule allows you to enter the profession sooner and begin pursuing full-time teaching opportunities.
What if I have questions about eligibility, payments, tax forms, or when I will receive my stipend?
Because ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ and the Office of Clinical Practice do not administer the stipend funds, questions regarding:
- District participation
- Eligibility outcomes
- Payment amounts
- Payment schedules
- Required paperwork
- Tax forms
- Fund distribution
should be directed to the Human Resources Department of your placement district.
Who should I contact if I still have questions?
Questions about placement and program requirements:
Your specific Program Coordinator
Questions about district participation, stipend funding, eligibility decisions, payment timelines, payroll processing, or tax documentation:
Your placement district's Human Resources Department
Important Reminder
The ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ College of Education is committed to ensuring that all eligible traditional student teacher candidates are submitted for consideration under the Student Teacher Stipend Program. However, participation in the program and administration of stipend funds are entirely determined by individual school districts. As a result, ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵ cannot guarantee stipend availability, payment amounts, or payment timelines.
